Whether you’re new to Kava or if you use the bitter herb daily, you may wonder about its addictive potential.
- Is Kava addictive?
- Is Kava safe to use every day?
- Is there any Kava withdrawal I need to know about?
- How can I safely take Kava whenever I want to?
These are valid concerns with any botanical substance you use to manage your physical and mental health. And let’s face it, that warm, fuzzy Kava feeling is unique. While you may want to enjoy that feeling of comfort every day, it’s good to know that Kava addiction isn’t a physical thing.
Stay tuned, and we’ll explain.
This article is brought to you by the Kava-loving staff at Kats Botanicals. We sell several kinds of pure, noble Kava so you can enjoy the bold flavor and life-enhancing effects of Kava tea whenever you want.
Let’s Be Clear on Kava Addiction – Is Kava Addictive or Not?
First and foremost, is Kava addictive? Well, no, but maybe for some people. Daily use or excessive use could become a mental dependency for some Kava users. However, Kava and its active ingredients do not biologically stimulate an addictive reaction. We’ll explain these statements fully in a moment, so you can confidently use your favorite Kava variety.
The Effects of Kava Come from Psychotropic Compounds
Kava contains active compounds called kavalactones, which deliver those fantastic feelings. Kava users relish in the calm and relaxing feeling and often tell us that they use kava as an alternative to alcohol.
The kavalactones in Kava are psychotropic. But don’t let this scare you off from Kava. You likely already use all kinds of psychotropic substances regularly.
Common Plant Psychotropics
- Caffeine – Stimulant
- Nicotine – Stimulant/addictive
- THC– Cannabis sativa / indica – Psychoactive and non-psychoactive cannabinoids (THC is psychotropic, CBD is not)
- Alkaloids – Like what’s found in the Kratom plant.
- Sugar. Yes, sugar.
Any chemical that you ingest that triggers a change in brain function, like focus, cognitive function, or emotional state, is technically considered psychoactive or psychotropic.
Back to Kavalactones. Let’s examine the addictive potential for Kava. Specifically, the active compounds that make our Kava drinks a cozy alternative to alcohol, a great way to relax and socialize, and a smooth way to unwind from the day.
What Makes a Psychotropic Addictive?
Psychotropics are essentially plant-based substances, sometimes called “active ingredients,” in a plant. While all psychotropic plants can influence the way you feel, not all of them are addictive. Even the addictive ones have varying levels of addictiveness to them.
Psychotropics that are wildly addictive are often banned or controlled by the Federal Drug Administration here in the US. For example, Kratom and Kava are not, but the THC found in Cannabis sativa is. Some people may assume this reflects the risk profile of a plant, but often, that’s not the case. It usually takes social pressure and years of foot-dragging before the FDA takes a strong stance on a substance. We do not expect this to happen with Kava because its risk profile is so low.
For a substance to be considered addictive, it usually meets many of the physical factors for initiating dependence and, subsequently, addiction.
Addiction Factors
Some factors affecting the addiction risk profile are:
- Dopamine Release: Substances that cause a big spike in dopamine in the brain’s reward system, especially the nucleus accumbens, tend to be highly addictive. Cocaine, nicotine, and opioids are prime examples.
- Receptor Systems: Some receptor systems in the body are more involved in reinforcing behavior. Common receptors that may be involved when addiction happens include:
- Dopamine Receptors (especially D1 and D2)
- Mu-Opioid Receptors
- GABA and Glutamate Receptors
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
- Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1, mainly)
- Serotonin Receptors
- Speed of Onset & Half-Life: The faster a substance takes effect, the more addictive it tends to be. Substances with a short half-life (how quickly they leave the body) often lead to cycles of craving and withdrawal, reinforcing use.
- Tolerance and Withdrawal: If the body adapts quickly (tolerance), and stopping causes significant withdrawal symptoms, people are more likely to keep using. Alternatively, some people use a substance more often because of the withdrawals (avoidance.)
Other factors contribute to the addiction potential of a substance, and these involve the user. There are psychological factors that make such as a person’s coping habits, mental health conditions, making a user more prone to cyclic patterns of behavior. There are environmental factors, such as peer pressure.
Addiction Potential of Kava & Kavalactones
Kava is not addictive for the vast majority of people who use it. Lab studies on Kava have demonstrated Kava to be “clinically non-addictive”. It’s clear when we take a look at how Kava interacts with brain signaling.
How Kavalactones Affect the Brain
When you drink a relaxing cup of Kava, what is happening in your body? How do the feelings change, or how does the tension release? All the feel-goods come from the plant’s kavalactones and their interactions in the body. Specifically, how they affect our brain.
Interaction with GABA-A Receptors – Kavalactones have an indirect, supportive effect on GABA. Kavalactones are known as positive allosteric modulators, meaning they support the GABA already present, amplifying GABA’s calming effects. Kavalactones act preferentially in the limbic areas of the brain, which affect emotion and feelings of anxiety. These kavalactone actions produce improved feelings, calmness, and relaxation. Kavain and dihydrokavain are the two most active kavalactones in modulating GABA-A.
Dopamine Modulation – Indirect inhibitory action on dopamine receptors, provides relaxation without a strong dopamine release, or “reward”. This is the main reason why Kavalactones don’t make the list for addictive psychotropics.
These brain interactions are just some of what kavalactones do in the body. The common theme is that when we use Kava, the brain receives a relaxing trigger without a reward response that demands more. Because of these moderately mild activities, we are also able to use Kava more frequently than some other psychotropics, without fear of dependency.
As long as you do not have a predisposition to developing psychological dependencies.
How Addictive Substances Affect the Brain
Addictive substances like cocaine, benzodiazepines, opiates, or alcohol have an addictive effect because of their strong receptor affinities and resulting interactions in the brain. The feelings are intense (more severe sedation or stimulatory effects), followed by a reward drop of huge amounts of dopamine. It’s not the chemical we become addicted to but that spike in dopamine.
Addiction treatments often focus on both the body’s addiction and the matters of our emotional and cognitive mental health. The difference between an addiction to Kava and one to cocaine is that the former is a mental health or emotional dependence. At the same time, the latter forms a strong physical dependence. While you may not become physically addicted to Kava, there are some things to avoid if you’ve had addiction or dependency issues in the past.
When and How Kava May Become A Dependency
The Kava powders you buy from Kats Botanicals are an extension of a long, trusted relationship between people and the Piper methysticum plant. To be more detailed, it’s the root of the plant that is so endeared. The plant’s native neighbors and caretakers are South Pacific islanders, whose rich culture is steeped in centuries of Kava use.
Culturally, Kava was primarily used by men in Kava-drinking social spots, called Nakamals, as an ice-breaker for meaningful discussions, a sign of friendliness or respect, or a way to honor a special day or moment. Since Kava was used frequently, daily for many of them, we can take a look at a long history of safe, repeated use of the plant. This anecdotal evidence sits well with many Kava users now learning about the plant’s effects here in the West. Even without the generational genetic and cultural heritage, we Westerners want to know what we’re getting into.
So, let’s take a look at what we know:
- Kava doesn’t cause physical addiction or dependence.
- Withdrawal symptoms do not happen with Kava.
- Psychological dependence or emotional reliance on Kava may occur for some people, but it isn’t common.
- Factors that may create a mental dependency on Kava include:
- Using Kava to excess.
- Using astronomically high Kava doses.
- Using Kava every day for a long span of time.
- Previous history of addictive behaviors.
- Irresponsible Kava consumption, such as combining with liquor or using Kava with strong sedatives or illicit drugs.
Learn about modern Kava bars.
Potential Kava Side Effects
There are a few Kava side effects but these are generally minimal and easily tolerated. Many people experience tingling of the lips and tongue when drinking Kava. (Affectionately known as “Kava mouth”.) Once the active compounds interact with your nervous system, you may feel more effects like relaxation or a pleasant, social lift.
Side effects may also occur for some people:
- Drowsiness or mild sedation
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Mild headaches
- Muscle weakness or coordination issues
Long-term, heavy Kava use, however, can pose some other risks such as scaly skin, skin discoloration, or the potential for liver impairment. This severity is not very common but has been observed.
Six-Month Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Medical studies on Kava overwhelmingly support its safe and effective use. One six-month RCT involving 101 patients assessed the effects of a standardized Kava extract (WS 1490) containing 70 mg of kavalactones, administered orally three times daily. The study found significant reductions in stress-related levels without serious side effects or liver damage. The most commonly reported adverse effect was stomachache.
Other Potential Health Risks of Kava
Although Kava is not considered addictive, Kava does have a few potential health risks for some individuals. If you have liver damage or an impaired liver, for example, drinking Kava regularly may not be a good idea. If you take heavy sedatives or strong medications, then using a Kava dietary supplement or drinking Kava teas along with them may pose some complications.
It is best to discuss your plans to try Kava with your medical professional. They know your list of medications and supplements and can advise you on the safe use of Kava.
Is Kava an Alternative to Alcohol?
Many health and wellness experts posit Kava as a “healthier” alternative to alcohol. This is due to Kava’s relaxing effects without withdrawal, heavy intoxication, or hangover. If you are dependent on alcohol, however, it’s best to discuss your plan to use Kava as an alternative. Your medical professional may want to recommend other treatment options, like group therapy or substance use programs and detox.
Follow the advice of your therapist or medical doctor. Kava is not an approved treatment for conditions such as anxiety disorders, alcohol addiction, or disease.
Best Uses of Kava
If we had to come up with our top three “best uses” tips for Kava use, it would be these:
- Use really good Kava. This means buying “noble Kava” and buying from a reputable vendor like Kats Botanicals. Otherwise, you could be paying for lots of filler ingredients, potentially harmful pathogens, or just badly processed Kava powders. Get the good stuff, and your money won’t be wasted, nor your Kava experience!
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Make your Kava teas in a variety of ways. Soon, you’ll find the perfect Kava blends to enjoy at home.
- Use Kava mindfully. Be aware of how Kava affects you and at what doses. Mindful use of plant supplements is always best. This is also true of our Kratom strains and our CBD products.
Using the Best Noble Kava – and Why That Matters
We briefly mentioned “noble Kava” without explaining what that is. In the world of Kava, there are high-brow Kavas, known to provide consistent results without many side effects. These Kavas are widely preferred over the other type of Kava, the Tudei or “2-day” varieties.
The nickname for Tudei Kavas is because they are known to cause unpleasant effects that linger for a couple of days. So, if you tried Kava that one time and felt terrible for days, you may have ingested sub-par Kava from the Tudei variety. Tudei is much stronger, but those unpleasant side effects like dizziness and nausea make this one less desirable.
We only sell noble Kava here at Kats. We pre-selected the best cultivars for our premium lineup of Kava powders, tinctures, and gummies:
- Kats Vanuatu Kava – The “Champion of Kava”
- Kats Fiji Kava – For that “island” bliss
- Kats Kava Blend – For Well-balanced smoothness
- Kratavfusion Kava and Kratom Shot – Combines the effects of Kratom and Kava
- Kava Tinctures – Kava drops for your convenience
- Kava Gummies – Kava made tasty!
Learn more: All about Kava Drops.
Concerned About Your Kava Use?
As we’ve made clear, Kava is not an addictive substance. But it’s important to recognize if Kava is addictive for you. Any type of substance that makes you feel nice can be addictive (psychologically speaking) for some people. If you find it hard to reduce your Kava usage without feeling symptoms of anxiety or mental cravings, then this may be your body’s way of alerting you. If this is your experience, consult with your medical professional.
Final Thoughts on Kava & Addiction
If you’re worried about Kava addiction, it’s very unlikely to happen. As with other plant-based supplements, Kava should be appropriately used for the best experience. People enjoy taking Kava to feel relaxed and social, but there are other perks. Select Kava from Kats and see how this peppery plant makes you feel!
